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The '''Orthodox Church''' is the second largest body of  Christians, with an estimated membership between 250 million and 350 million people.  The Orthodox Church claims to be the original Church founded by Jesus Christ.  It is notable for its use of  icons, candles, incense, relics of saints, and beautiful vestments during its rich liturgical services.  It is often confused with the Byzantine-rite Catholics who are in communion with the Pope of Rome.  The Orthodox are not in communion with the Roman Catholics, whom they view as holding several false doctrines.  While in the west the Orthodox Church thought of as the church in Russia, Greece, and other eastern European countries, it is present on all continents and in most countries of the world.

The '''Orthodox Church''' is the second largest body of  Christians, with an estimated membership between 250 million and 350 million people.  The Orthodox Church claims to be the original Church founded by [[Jesus Christ]].  It is notable for its use of  icons, candles, incense, relics of saints, and beautiful vestments during its rich liturgical services.  It is often confused with the Byzantine-rite Catholics who are in communion with the Pope of Rome.  The Orthodox are not in communion with the [[Roman Catholics]], whom they view as holding several false doctrines.  While in the west the Orthodox Church thought of as the church in Russia, Greece, and other eastern European countries, it is present on all continents and in most countries of the world.

== Beliefs of Orthodox Christians ==

== Beliefs of Orthodox Christians ==

This creed is professed by all Orthodox Christians prior to baptism, and at every celebration of the Divine Liturgy (the main service of the Orthodox Church).

This creed is professed by all Orthodox Christians prior to baptism, and at every celebration of the Divine Liturgy (the main service of the Orthodox Church).

The Bible

The [[Bible]]

The Orthodox regard the Bible as the main source of and rule against which the life, actions, words, and thoughts of the Church and here members are judged.  Its role in the life of the church can not be overstated.  It is read from at every service, in fact, most of the services of the Orthodox Church consist, at least in part, of chanting large portions of the Bible.   

The Orthodox regard the Bible as the main source of and rule against which the life, actions, words, and thoughts of the Church and here members are judged.  Its role in the life of the church can not be overstated.  It is read from at every service, in fact, most of the services of the Orthodox Church consist, at least in part, of chanting large portions of the Bible.   

===Church of Constantinople===

===Church of Constantinople===

This church which had always had a strong missionary zeal has suffered greatly under the heel of Islam.  Also, the effect Roman Catholic invasion of Constantinople during the 4th Crusade can not be overstated.  That event saw most of the relics carted away or destroyed, and a Roman Catholic pretender put in the place of the Orthodox patriarch. Nevertheless, in the last hundred years this Church has recaptured it’s missionary heritage, establishing churches in Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, and South America.  The Church of Constantinople also provides arch-pastoral services for some Orthodox in the U.S. who are not part of the Orthodox Church in America.  This Church was established by St. Andrew but was a very small and almost insignificant Church until St. Constantine moved the capitol of the Roman Empire to this city and the Council of Nicea gave the Church there second place after Rome.

This church which had always had a strong missionary zeal has suffered greatly under the heel of Islam.  Also, the effect Roman Catholic invasion of Constantinople during the 4th Crusade can not be overstated.  That event saw most of the relics carted away or destroyed, and a Roman Catholic pretender put in the place of the Orthodox patriarch. Nevertheless, in the last hundred years this Church has recaptured it’s missionary heritage, establishing churches in Singapore, Malaysia, [[Australia]], and South America.  The Church of [[Constantinople]] also provides arch-pastoral services for some Orthodox in the U.S. who are not part of the Orthodox Church in America.  This Church was established by St. Andrew but was a very small and almost insignificant Church until St. Constantine moved the capitol of the Roman Empire to this city and the Council of Nicea gave the Church there second place after Rome.

===Church of Alexandria===

===Church of Alexandria===

Having been devastated first by schism, and then by Islam, and also by European colonial powers, this church languished as a diaspora church for Greek speakers for a thousand years.  It is only now making remarkable strides to regain its lost footing, having expanded west into territory lost to the Roman schism, south into territory lost to the Coptic schism, and even beyond that all the way to South Africa, establishing new dioceses in Madagascar, Kenya, Congo, South Africa and many other countries and regions of Africa.  Alexandria is one of the three ancient Petrine Sees, having been established by St. Mark on the instructions of St. Peter.

Having been devastated first by schism, and then by Islam, and also by European colonial powers, this church languished as a diaspora church for Greek speakers for a thousand years.  It is only now making remarkable strides to regain its lost footing, having expanded west into territory lost to the Roman schism, south into territory lost to the Coptic schism, and even beyond that all the way to South Africa, establishing new dioceses in Madagascar, Kenya, Congo, South Africa and many other countries and regions of [[Africa]].  Alexandria is one of the three ancient Petrine Sees, having been established by St. Mark on the instructions of St. Peter.

===Church of Antioch===

===Church of Antioch===

===Church of Jerusalem===

===Church of Jerusalem===

The early history of this church is related in the Book of Acts in the New Testament.  It too has been plagued by Islam and crusaders.  Though its missionary activity is circumscribed by its being surrounded by other Patriarchates, it does engage in missionary activity to the Jews in Israel and the Muslims in Palestine.  The liturgy is served in Hebrew and in Arabic.  This is also the only one of the Orthodox churches still serving the Liturgy of St. James, the oldest and longest liturgy of the Orthodox Church. (Only a small part of the liturgy was actually written by St. James.)

The early history of this church is related in the Book of Acts in the New Testament.  It too has been plagued by Islam and crusaders.  Though its missionary activity is circumscribed by its being surrounded by other Patriarchates, it does engage in missionary activity to the Jews in [[Israel]] and the Muslims in [[Palestine]].  The liturgy is served in Hebrew and in Arabic.  This is also the only one of the Orthodox churches still serving the Liturgy of St. James, the oldest and longest liturgy of the Orthodox Church. (Only a small part of the liturgy was actually written by St. James.)

===Church of Russia===

===Church of Russia===

Though there were already Orthodox Christians in some of the Black Sea ports, and though Viking traders had become Christians in Constantinople and had built some churches along their Volga river trade-route, and though the Polish had begun some missionary activity along the western frontier of  Kievan state, the year conventionally recognized as the establishment of the Church of Russia is 988 when St. Prince Vladimir decreed Orthodox Christianity as the state religion.  This church, like many of the Orthodox Churches suffered from Islamic invasion, but also Mongol conquest and most recently, severe persecution under the Communists.  This last persecution produced more than 50 million holy martyrs.

Though there were already Orthodox Christians in some of the Black Sea ports, and though Viking traders had become Christians in Constantinople and had built some churches along their Volga river trade-route, and though the Polish had begun some missionary activity along the western frontier of  Kievan state, the year conventionally recognized as the establishment of the Church of Russia is 988 when St. Prince Vladimir decreed Orthodox Christianity as the state religion.  This church, like many of the Orthodox Churches suffered from Islamic invasion, but also [[Mongol]] conquest and most recently, severe persecution under the Communists.  This last persecution produced more than 50 million holy martyrs.

===Church of Georgia===

===Church of Georgia===

===Church of Romania===

===Church of Romania===

Though this Church is second in size to the Church of Russia, it is probably 1st in zeal and active membership.  The contributions of the Romanian Church can not be overstated.  Martyrs, ascetics, monastics, theologians, hymnographers, missionaries, and spiritual warriors abound in this Church.  

Though this Church is second in size to the Church of [[Russia]], it is probably 1st in zeal and active membership.  The contributions of the Romanian Church can not be overstated.  Martyrs, ascetics, monastics, theologians, hymnographers, missionaries, and spiritual warriors abound in this Church.  

===Church of Bulgaria===

===Church of Bulgaria===

Established by the brothers St. Cyril and St. Methodius in the 9th century this ancient patriarchate was suppressed and was made a part of the Church of Constantinople by the Ottoman Turks in the 15th Century. Missionaries from Bulgaria were key in the evangelization of the lands of Serbia, Romania, and Montenegro. Only in the 1870s did the Church of Bulgaria regain its autocephalous status.

Established by the brothers St. Cyril and St. Methodius in the 9th century this ancient patriarchate was suppressed and was made a part of the Church of Constantinople by the Ottoman Turks in the 15th Century. Missionaries from Bulgaria were key in the evangelization of the lands of Serbia, [[Romania]], and Montenegro. Only in the 1870s did the Church of Bulgaria regain its autocephalous status.

===Church of Cyprus===

===Church of Cyprus===

Established by St. Lazarus (the one Jesus raised from the dead) this church never did much in the way of missionary work.  It has been autocephalous since the Council of Ephesus made it so A.D. 431.  Nevertheless, it is an important pilgrimage site since the relics of St. Lazarus are there. Two stories about St. Lazarus still circulate on the island.  One that he laughed aloud at a man who stole a clay pot saying “clay stealing clay” and that he always served something sweet at every meal.

Established by St. [[Lazarus]] (the one Jesus raised from the dead) this church never did much in the way of missionary work.  It has been autocephalous since the Council of Ephesus made it so A.D. 431.  Nevertheless, it is an important pilgrimage site since the relics of St. Lazarus are there. Two stories about St. Lazarus still circulate on the island.  One that he laughed aloud at a man who stole a clay pot saying “clay stealing clay” and that he always served something sweet at every meal.

===Church of Greece===

===Church of Greece===

===Church of Poland===

===Church of Poland===

This Church has existed since the 9th Century when it was established by Saints Cyril and Methodious but was part of the Church of Constantinople for most of its history.  In the 15th century most of the Orthodox in Poland fell away into Roman heresy and formed one of the Eastern-Rite Catholic Churches in communion with the Pope of Rome.  In 1924 this much diminished Church was granted autocephaly. After WWII part of western Byelorussia was added to Poland.  With the territory came many Orthodox Christians.  Most Orthodox in Poland are descendants of these former Byelorussians.

This Church has existed since the 9th Century when it was established by Saints Cyril and Methodious but was part of the Church of Constantinople for most of its history.  In the 15th century most of the Orthodox in Poland fell away into Roman heresy and formed one of the Eastern-Rite Catholic Churches in communion with the Pope of [[Rome]].  In 1924 this much diminished Church was granted autocephaly. After WWII part of western Byelorussia was added to Poland.  With the territory came many Orthodox Christians.  Most Orthodox in Poland are descendants of these former Byelorussians.

===Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia===

===Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia===

Maps of Columbus’s time often included an island called St. Brendan’s Isle that was placed in the western Atlantic ocean. Map makers of the time had no idea of it’s exact position but did believe it existed some where west of Europe. It was mentioned in a Latin text dating from the ninth century titled Navigatio Santi Brendani Abatis (Voyage of Saint Brendan the Abbot). It described the voyage as having taken place in the sixth century. Several copies of this text have survived in monasteries throughout Europe.

Maps of Columbus’s time often included an island called St. Brendan’s Isle that was placed in the western Atlantic ocean. Map makers of the time had no idea of it’s exact position but did believe it existed some where west of Europe. It was mentioned in a Latin text dating from the ninth century titled Navigatio Santi Brendani Abatis (Voyage of Saint Brendan the Abbot). It described the voyage as having taken place in the sixth century. Several copies of this text have survived in monasteries throughout Europe.

Historians relate that Brendan was born about 484 near Tralee in County Kerry. He was ordained by Bishop Erc and sailed about northwest Europe spreading the Orthodox Christian faith and founding monasteries, the largest at Clonfert, County Galway, where he was buried in 577 at the age of 93.  

Historians relate that Brendan was born about 484 near Tralee in County Kerry. He was ordained by Bishop Erc and sailed about northwest [[Europe]] spreading the Orthodox Christian faith and founding monasteries, the largest at Clonfert, County Galway, where he was buried in 577 at the age of 93.  

The account of Brendan’s voyage contains a detailed description of the construction of his boat and the voyage.  The boat was very much like the currachs still made in County Kerry today. And some of the place names match known and current place names, such as the Isle of Sheep in Faeroes Islands (between the Shetland Islands and Iceland).  But several passages in the legend seem incredible— they “passed by crystals that rose up to the sky” (icebergs?), and were “pelted with flaming, foul smelling rocks by the inhabitants of a large island on their route” (lava and ash from the active volcanoes on Iceland?). They finally arrived at the beautiful land they called “Promised Land of the Saints.” They explored until they came to a great river (the Mississippi?) that divided the land. This doesn’t seem like very reliable information.

The account of Brendan’s voyage contains a detailed description of the construction of his boat and the voyage.  The boat was very much like the currachs still made in County Kerry today. And some of the place names match known and current place names, such as the Isle of Sheep in Faeroes Islands (between the Shetland Islands and Iceland).  But several passages in the legend seem incredible— they “passed by crystals that rose up to the sky” (icebergs?), and were “pelted with flaming, foul smelling rocks by the inhabitants of a large island on their route” (lava and ash from the active volcanoes on Iceland?). They finally arrived at the beautiful land they called “Promised Land of the Saints.” They explored until they came to a great river (the Mississippi?) that divided the land. This doesn’t seem like very reliable information.

===The Vikings===

===The Vikings===

In 994 AD the leader of the Norwegian Vikings, Olaf Tryggvason, laid siege to London. But God conquered Olaf, and he was baptized and chrismated by Alphege, Bishop of Winchester. When Olaf  left England in 995, a new man, he took with him Orthodox Christian clergy, including a Bishop Grimkell, an Englishman of Danish origin. It was this mission which was to lead to the spreading of Christianity in Norway. In time, the Christian influence of Olaf Tryggvason spread to all future Norwegians, and outside Norway as well.   

In 994 AD the leader of the Norwegian Vikings, Olaf Tryggvason, laid siege to [[London]]. But God conquered Olaf, and he was baptized and chrismated by Alphege, Bishop of Winchester. When Olaf  left England in 995, a new man, he took with him Orthodox Christian clergy, including a Bishop Grimkell, an Englishman of Danish origin. It was this mission which was to lead to the spreading of Christianity in Norway. In time, the Christian influence of Olaf Tryggvason spread to all future Norwegians, and outside Norway as well.   

In 999, Leif Ericsson, "most excellent to look at, and in addition wise and moderate in everything as well as highly respected," set out from Greenland and went to Norway.  According to the sagas, King Olaf received Leif with much honor and, as a  Christian ruler, converted him to Christianity. According to the Saga of Olaf, "it was easy to baptize Leif," and Olaf assigned to him the task of converting the Greenlanders to Christianity.  

In 999, Leif Ericsson, "most excellent to look at, and in addition wise and moderate in everything as well as highly respected," set out from Greenland and went to Norway.  According to the sagas, King Olaf received Leif with much honor and, as a  Christian ruler, converted him to Christianity. According to the Saga of Olaf, "it was easy to baptize Leif," and Olaf assigned to him the task of converting the Greenlanders to Christianity.  

In 1794 several monks from Russia’s northeastern monasteries began working with the native population of Kodiak and Unalaska Islands.    Among those monks was St. Herman.

In 1794 several monks from Russia’s northeastern monasteries began working with the native population of Kodiak and Unalaska Islands.    Among those monks was St. Herman.

St. Herman was born in the town of Serpukhov in the Moscow Diocese around 1756. At the age of 16, he entered the monastic life at the Trinity-St. Sergius Hermitage near St. Petersburg. While here he developed a severe throat infection from which he nearly died. After fervent prayer before an ikon of the Theotokos, he fell into a deep sleep. During this sleep, He dreamed that he was healed by the Virgin and upon waking, he had completely recovered. A few years later he moved to the Valaam Monastery on Lake Ladoga. At this time the Golikov-Shelikov Company - licensed to exploit the resources of Alaska - requested monks to work in a new Alaskan mission. Father Herman was among the eight monks selected. They arrived on Kodiak Island on September 24, 1794, and immediately set out on the task of educating and converting the natives. Eventually only Fr. Herman survived from this original mission.  

St. Herman was born in the town of Serpukhov in the [[Moscow]] Diocese around 1756. At the age of 16, he entered the monastic life at the Trinity-St. Sergius Hermitage near St. Petersburg. While here he developed a severe throat infection from which he nearly died. After fervent prayer before an ikon of the Theotokos, he fell into a deep sleep. During this sleep, He dreamed that he was healed by the Virgin and upon waking, he had completely recovered. A few years later he moved to the Valaam Monastery on Lake Ladoga. At this time the Golikov-Shelikov Company - licensed to exploit the resources of Alaska - requested monks to work in a new Alaskan mission. Father Herman was among the eight monks selected. They arrived on Kodiak Island on September 24, 1794, and immediately set out on the task of educating and converting the natives. Eventually only Fr. Herman survived from this original mission.  

The members of the mission felt that it was their duty to protect the Alaskans from harm and exploitation. Thy defended them against the often cruel treatment of the Russian-American Company which controlled the colony under the leadership of cruel Alexander Baranov. As a result of their protests, and because they tried to place the natives under imperial protection by administering an oath of allegiance to the Czar to them, Baranov threatened the monks with physical violence and even placed them under house arrest.  

The members of the mission felt that it was their duty to protect the Alaskans from harm and exploitation. Thy defended them against the often cruel treatment of the Russian-American Company which controlled the colony under the leadership of cruel Alexander Baranov. As a result of their protests, and because they tried to place the natives under imperial protection by administering an oath of allegiance to the Czar to them, Baranov threatened the monks with physical violence and even placed them under house arrest.  

One of St. Tikhon’s most important decisions during his time in North America had to do with how to minister to Orthodox Christians from the Middle East who were arriving on the east coast.  He realized that these newest members of his flock needed someone who could speak their language and who was familiar with their distinct customs so he asked the Patriarch of Antioch to send him an Arabic-speaking priest.   

One of St. Tikhon’s most important decisions during his time in North America had to do with how to minister to Orthodox Christians from the Middle East who were arriving on the east coast.  He realized that these newest members of his flock needed someone who could speak their language and who was familiar with their distinct customs so he asked the Patriarch of Antioch to send him an Arabic-speaking priest.   

The priest who arrived was Fr. Raphael Hawaweeny.  In 1904 he was consecrated a Bishop by St. Tikhon and St. Innocent and from then until his death in 1915 he was known as Bishop Raphael of Brooklyn.  During the course of his ministry he established 29 parishes and assisted in the establishing of a monastery in Pennsylvania.  He was recognized, even while living, as a saint but was not officially glorified by the Church until March of 2000.  

The priest who arrived was Fr. Raphael Hawaweeny.  In 1904 he was consecrated a Bishop by St. Tikhon and St. Innocent and from then until his death in 1915 he was known as Bishop Raphael of Brooklyn.  During the course of his ministry he established 29 parishes and assisted in the establishing of a monastery in [[Pennsylvania]].  He was recognized, even while living, as a saint but was not officially glorified by the Church until March of 2000.  

===The Russian Revolution===

===The Russian Revolution===

The Present Situation - The Orthodox Church continues to grow in North America.  Most of its bishops were born in America, many having converted (either from paganism or other Christian churches) as adults.  The Orthodox church has experienced a couple of waves of mass conversions, such as when several thousand Byzantine-rite Catholics converted in the early 20th Century, and several leaders of Campus Crusade for Christ and their couple of dozen churches converted, or when Christ the Savior Brotherhood (a “Jesus People” movement from the 1960s) converted.   

The Present Situation - The Orthodox Church continues to grow in North America.  Most of its bishops were born in America, many having converted (either from paganism or other Christian churches) as adults.  The Orthodox church has experienced a couple of waves of mass conversions, such as when several thousand Byzantine-rite Catholics converted in the early 20th Century, and several leaders of Campus Crusade for Christ and their couple of dozen churches converted, or when Christ the Savior Brotherhood (a “Jesus People” movement from the 1960s) converted.   

The Orthodox in America have established one undergraduate college, Holy Cross in Boston as well as four seminaries (Anchorage, NewYork, Boston, and Pennsylvania), one practical ministerial institute (Penn.), and a graduate school for lay theologians (Berkeley).  Most of their parishes have Saturday schools where Greek, Russian, and other languages as well as theology and culture are taught to children.  A few parishes have established high schools and elementary schools.

The Orthodox in America have established one undergraduate college, Holy Cross in Boston as well as four seminaries (Anchorage, [[New York]], [[Boston]], and Pennsylvania), one practical ministerial institute (Penn.), and a graduate school for lay theologians (Berkeley).  Most of their parishes have Saturday schools where Greek, Russian, and other languages as well as theology and culture are taught to children.  A few parishes have established high schools and elementary schools.

Several monasteries have been established for men and women, and two (one in New York and one in Miami) have converted from other churches and have become Orthodox monasteries.

Several monasteries have been established for men and women, and two (one in New York and one in Miami) have converted from other churches and have become Orthodox monasteries.

[[category: Christian Denominations]]

[[category: Christian Denominations]]